Quantum
22:17, 04-Sep-2017
Not only satellite: China's quantum network connects Beijing, Shanghai and the space
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The World's first quantum-encrypted network is ready for use, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) told the media today.
The CAS researchers said they have conducted a thorough test of the system in the last six months, including high-res video meeting, data backup and finance data collection.
The 2,000-kilometer-long system survived stability tests longer than 720 hours.
The network connects Beijing and Shanghai, and reaches further to the quantum satellite Micius out in space, researchers at the academy said.
The Micius satellite, before launched to space in August, 2016. /CGTN Photo
The Micius satellite, before launched to space in August, 2016. /CGTN Photo
Once begun, the technology can help distribute encryption keys for tens of thousands of users at the same time.
Total bandwidth of the ground network is around 20 kilobits per second, while the speed of ground-space transfer is about five kilobits per second.
The data transfer cannot be tapped, as doing so will change the data itself, thanks to the nature of quantum communication.
The network will be commercialized in fields like finance, media and policy-making, the researchers said.
China, now a world leader in quantum technology, has been building the network since 2013.